- 1. Homemade balm of lemon balm
- Ingredients
- Method of preparation
- 2. Pomegranate tea
- Ingredients
- Method of preparation
- 3. Elderberry Tea
- Ingredients
- Method of preparation
- Food for herpes
Cold sores are mainly caused by two types of viruses, herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2. Therefore, home treatment can be done with plants that can eliminate these viruses more quickly, such as lemon balm, pomegranate or the elderberry, for example.
The effectiveness of home treatment can vary according to the person and the type of virus that is causing herpes, but it is usually possible to see a marked reduction in symptoms or a decrease in treatment time.
Although they can be quite effective, these home remedies should not replace any type of treatment that has been indicated by the doctor, and can be used together with the prescribed ointments. See which ointments are most suitable to treat herpes.
1. Homemade balm of lemon balm
Lemon balm, scientifically known as Melissa officinalis , is a plant that has antiviral action against herpes simplex type 1 and 2 viruses, helping to relieve cold sore symptoms such as pain, redness, itching or burning, in addition to facilitating healing.
This homemade lip balm can be used as soon as the first symptoms of itchy lip appear, for example, as it prevents the appearance of a large affected area, in addition to reducing the time required for the treatment of herpes.
Ingredients
- 20 g of dried lemon balm leaves; 50 ml of vegetable oil such as avocado or sweet almonds; 3 tablespoons of beeswax; 1 tablespoon of cocoa butter.
Method of preparation
Crush the lemon balm leaves and place them in a dark glass jar. Then add the vegetable oil until it covers all the leaves and stir with a spoon to ensure that the oil reaches all places. Finally, close the bottle and let it stand for 10 days to 1 month. The longer the oil infusion rests, the greater the concentration of lemongrass assets in the oil.
After this time, the beeswax and cocoa butter should be melted together with 3 to 4 tablespoons of the lemongrass oil infusion. After all the mixture is liquid and well mixed, it can be poured into a small bottle, where, after cooling, it will have a consistency of balm, which can be applied on the lips.
2. Pomegranate tea
Pomegranate is the fruit of the pomegranate tree, a plant known scientifically as Punica granatum . The films present inside the pomegranate and which cover the seeds are very rich in tannins with antiviral action against herpes simplex type 2. Thus, the tea made with these films helps to eliminate the herpes virus more quickly, accelerating the healing of the wound on the lip.
Ingredients
- 1 pomegranate 300 ml water
Method of preparation
Remove the skin of the pomegranate and the films that cover the seeds inside. Then, put it in a pan of water and let it boil for 20 to 30 minutes. Finally, let it cool and strain. Apply the mixture with the help of a piece of cotton on the wound of herpes 3 to 5 times a day, between the application of the ointment for herpes, for example.
3. Elderberry Tea
Elderberries, scientifically known as Sambucus nigra , are a plant widely used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat herpes, as it has quercetin and canferol that have a potent action against the herpes simplex virus type 1.
Ingredients
- 1 (spoon) of Elderberry flower soup; 1 cup of boiling water.
Method of preparation
Add the ingredients and let the mixture stand for 5 to 10 minutes. After straining, let cool and drink the mixture 2 to 3 times a day. Tea can also be applied directly to the herpes sore several times a day.
Food for herpes
The diet to reduce the frequency of the onset of herpes, should be rich in food sources of vitamin C, lysine and low in arginine, as this type of food strengthens the immune system and reduces the intensity and number of herpes episodes.
Learn more about this type of food at: Herpes feed.
